To let: Churchill's bunker in London

Transport for London (TFL) has put up for let a former underground station now abandoned: Down Street Station.

“One of the most remarkable spaces in the world is seeking an investor to bring it back to life”. TFL encourages “seizing one of London’s most exclusive commercial opportunities” and is looking to let approximately 400 m², space which could be renovated into a bar or nightclub.

In the heart of central London, in the upscale Mayfair district, Down Street station opened in 1907 before closing in 1932 due to low footfall as it was too close to Hyde Park Corner or Green Park stations. Down Street, whose façade is decorated with bordeaux-coloured tiles, then housed railway network employees during the Second World War. It also served as a bunker for Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister at the time, during the Second World War.

Since then, the station has been used by TFL to store equipment. “Its space, history and location are all elements making Down Street Station a unique opportunity”, said the director of commercial development at the London transport company (TFL).

Work to transform the site could take two years. According to The Evening Standard this space could be let for £100,000 per year (approximately €140,000). TFL hopes to make a profit approaching €5 billion.

It should be noted that today, around forty unused stations still exist and some are located in the most exclusive districts of the British capital.

Sources: cityam.com, theguardian.com, aucoeurdelimmo.com